On Sunday, June 15, 2025, 18-year-old Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli etched his name into Formula 1 history by securing his first podium at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Driving for Mercedes, the rookie finished third, trailing teammate George Russell, who won the race, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. This achievement, in the tenth round of the 2025 season, made Antonelli the third-youngest driver to reach an F1 podium at 18 years, nine months, and 21 days, behind only Verstappen and Lance Stroll. The result came during a challenging season for Mercedes, which faced reliability issues but showed strength at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Antonelli’s consistent and mature performance underscored his status as one of motorsport’s brightest prospects.
The Canadian GP podium marked a milestone for Antonelli, who stepped into the daunting role of replacing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes after Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. Part of the team’s young driver program since 2019, Antonelli dismisses the “replacement” label, focusing on carving his own path. His weekend performance, particularly in qualifying and the race, highlighted his potential and brought relief to a team seeking redemption after retirements in earlier races.
- Path to the podium: Antonelli started fourth, overtook Oscar Piastri at the start, and managed pressure throughout.
- Mercedes’ context: The team switched power units for Antonelli and Russell, prioritizing reliability.
- Historical significance: The result placed Antonelli among elite young talents like Verstappen.
Antonelli’s rise in F1 is fueled by high expectations, built on his meteoric career in junior categories and Mercedes’ unwavering support.
First podium = you can’t escape the 🍾 pic.twitter.com/JlMu8xKb1o
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 16, 2025
A rising star
Kimi Antonelli’s motorsport journey began at age seven in karting, where he quickly stood out. The son of former racer Marco Antonelli, owner of AKM Motorsport, the Italian grew up immersed in racing. Between 2020 and 2021, he clinched consecutive European Karting Championship titles, showcasing talent and consistency. His move to single-seaters was equally dominant, with victories in the 2022 Italian Formula 4 and ADAC Formula 4, followed by Formula Regional Middle East and European titles in 2023.
In 2024, Antonelli competed in Formula 2 with Prema Racing, facing challenges but securing two wins at Silverstone and Hungaroring. These results, combined with his raw speed, convinced Mercedes to fast-track him to F1 in 2025, bypassing Formula 3—a bold move drawing comparisons to Max Verstappen.
Antonelli’s F1 debut at the Australian GP already hinted at his potential. Starting 16th, he finished fourth, earning points and becoming the second-youngest driver to score in the series. In Japan, he led a race for the first time, setting a record as the youngest to do so at 18 years and 226 days.
Stellar performance in Canada
The Canadian GP weekend was a turning point for Antonelli. On Friday, June 13, he posted the third-fastest time in Free Practice 2, behind only Russell and Lando Norris. His adaptation to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a track he raced on for the first time, was remarkable. The high-speed layout, notorious for its “Wall of Champions,” demanded precision, but Antonelli excelled, particularly with Pirelli’s softest C6 tire.
In Saturday’s qualifying, he secured fourth place with a 1:11.391 lap on medium tires. Despite a modest 11th in Q1, he improved steadily, earning a second-row grid spot alongside Piastri. His lap was just 0.3 seconds off Russell’s pole, a notable feat for a rookie.
- Qualifying strategy: Antonelli maximized the C6 tires, despite higher-than-expected track temperatures.
- Car confidence: He noted the Mercedes W16 felt “more balanced” in Canada, aiding his driving.
- Race preparation: Free Practice 2 simulations signaled a strong race pace, which materialized on Sunday.
A race for the history books
On race day, Antonelli proved his worth. At the start, he passed Piastri to take third and maintained a robust pace over 70 laps. A late safety car, triggered by a crash involving Norris and Piastri, was pivotal. Antonelli managed his tires expertly and fended off Piastri’s attempts to reclaim the position.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised Antonelli’s maturity in his debut season. Despite a post-race investigation for potential safety car infringements, the result stood, confirming the podium. Antonelli called the start “crucial” to his success, celebrating emotionally.
Russell’s win, paired with Antonelli’s podium, marked Mercedes’ first one-two finish of 2025, signaling a turnaround after mechanical woes in Imola and Barcelona, where Antonelli retired due to engine issues.
Comparisons to F1 legends
Antonelli’s podium sparked inevitable comparisons to other young F1 prodigies. Max Verstappen holds the record as the youngest to reach a podium, at 18 years, seven months, and 15 days, in the 2016 Spanish GP. Lance Stroll, second on the list, was 18 years, seven months, and 27 days old at the 2017 Azerbaijan GP. Antonelli, at 18 years, nine months, and 21 days, joined this elite group.
While still far from Verstappen’s records, Antonelli outdid the Dutchman in one area: a sprint race pole in Miami, making him the youngest to achieve it. His versatility across tracks and raw speed suggest he could emulate the sport’s greats.
Overcoming 2025 challenges
The 2025 season has tested Antonelli. Beyond the pressure of replacing Hamilton, he faced technical setbacks. Engine failures forced retirements in Imola and Barcelona, while Monaco’s C6 tire grip issues hindered him. In Canada, Mercedes introduced a third power unit for both drivers, boosting reliability.
Despite these hurdles, Antonelli holds seventh in the Drivers’ Championship with 48 points. He hasn’t outraced Russell yet but has been competitive in qualifying, like in Miami, where he started ahead of his teammate.
- Technical issues: Engine failures in Imola and Barcelona disrupted early races.
- C6 tire adaptation: After struggles, Antonelli mastered the soft tire in Canada.
- Season progress: Highlights include a sprint pole in Miami and steady improvement.
Mercedes’ role in success
Mercedes’ faith in Antonelli underpins his rise. Toto Wolff, who scouted him at 12 via Giancarlo Minardi, sees him as a long-term investment. The team fended off interest from rivals like Ferrari, which tried to sign Antonelli in 2018 but was rebuffed due to his age.
Antonelli’s preparation included F1 car tests in Monza and Abu Dhabi in 2024, plus free practice sessions. His FP1 debut at the Italian GP, despite a crash at Parabolica, showcased his speed, with sector times rivaling Verstappen’s.
Looking ahead
The Canadian podium is just the start for Antonelli. With 14 races left in 2025, he has ample chances to shine. The upcoming Austrian GP, from June 27 to 29, offers another high-speed track where Mercedes aims to build momentum.
Antonelli also carries the hopes of Italy, a nation with a rich racing heritage but no top F1 driver since Giancarlo Fisichella. His choice of the number 12, inspired by Ayrton Senna, reflects his ambition to leave a lasting mark.
A standout among 2025 rookies
The 2025 season introduced a new wave of F1 drivers, including Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto, Oliver Bearman, and Jack Doohan. Antonelli leads the pack, being the only rookie to score on debut and reach a podium. His Canadian performance contrasted with Bortoleto’s 14th-place finish for Sauber and Hadjar’s point-less run for Racing Bulls. Antonelli’s consistency, even in a less competitive car, sets him apart.
